Not everyone shares your exacting standards of success. Since the point of Toro Rosso is to prepare drivers for Red Bull Racing, and one of the two that habve passed through is now a quadruple champion, I’d say that’s a success.

Alas it appears Eric Boullier will be indeed incorrect, and Lotus will be handicapped.

It is a crying shame they have been unable to attract funding as they are a great outfit and I really believed in 2012 it was the start of a resurgence. Although it appears a false summit, followed by a rather steep and icy slope.

Boullier was convinced that they wouldn’t be only ones missing the test, stating: “I know this for a fact already”. He may still be right with it seemingly being touch-and-go for McLaren and we don’t yet know of Force India’s position (although it’s been rumoured they’ll be there). But if he is wrong then he will certainly be left with egg on his face, and it will then be hard to fully trust whatever comes out of his mouth.

It’s a fact that missing a four day test session isn’t good, but if they have managed to find a loophole in the new rules maybe they won’t be so handicapped. And as far as we know they can be either hiding something or in real trouble.